USA Today; "Wineries in San Rafael, Argentina: Algodon Wine Estates"

Source: USA TodayBy: Caryn Anderson, Demand Media
01.28.2013

San Rafael, Argentina, is in the southern part of Argentina's Mendoza Province, the region that grows the largest volume of wine grape vines in the country. Argentina is in the top five wine-producing countries in the world, behind only France, Italy, Spain and the United States. San Rafael’s mild year-round climate is ideal for growing the grapes used to make red wines such as malbec, bonarda and syrah, or white wines such as chenin blanc, torrontes and chardonnay. According to Argentina Wine Tourism, San Rafael is home to nearly 200 wineries. Four of the area's wineries are featured on wine tours and open to the public for tours and tastings.

Algodon Wine Estates

Algodon Wine Estates (algodonwineestates.com) is nestled near the base of the Sierra Pintada Mountains, on the outskirts of the city. Many of its vines date to the 1940s, when the estate was established. Some of the winery's specialties include reds such as malbec, a cabernet and syrah blend and bonarda. It also produces a malbec rose, malbec and bonarda blended rose, and whites such as chardonnay and semillon. The San Rafael, Mendoza winery offers wine tasting and group wine classes. The estate also features a wine hotel, restaurant, tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course.